MOVE THE AIR, COOL THE BODY

MOVE THE AIR, COOL THE BODY

 
Finding a ceiling fan to meet functional needs as well as match any interior decorating style is not a problem these days. Fans come in several sizes with blades made in just about any shape and/or material, sometimes making them the center of attention in a room and not just an accessory.  And the style of lighting fixtures that can be added to the fans is equally varied. Prices are surprisingly low for a basic but quite adequate model to over $1,000 for decorator styles. Many now come with remote controls as well.
 
 
Aside from style, features to consider when selecting a fan include the size and height of the room.  A basic 52-inch fan can fit in just about any room; if needed, a larger fan or multiple fans can be used.  If the ceiling is high or slanted, as would be the case with a cathedral or vaulted ceiling, a special hanger and extension rod will be needed.  Years ago, there were a lot of problems with the mounting components, actually allowing fans to fall.  Now however, fans that have been tested and are listed as complying with certain manufacturing standards come with the necessary hardware. That leaves it up to the installer to make sure in is installed according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
As far as the function of the fan, a properly installed unit with a good quality motor should be fairly quiet. Fan blade pitch is a consideration for air movement as well as fan noise.  The more air moved the noisier it may be.  Blade pitch varies from about 11 to 20 degrees. Most units are multi-speed; at high speed, a 15 pitch fan will move considerable amounts of air.  
The airflow direction produced by the fan can be changed to accommodate personal preferences for both the heating and/or cooling season. Setting the fan to blow the air down in the summer will provide a strong cooling breeze; while setting it to draw air upwards will pull the cool air toward the ceiling and circulate it around the room for more mild air flow. In the winter, running the fan at low speed with the airflow directed downward is helpful in rooms with high ceilings, as the fan will push the hotter air that accumulates at the ceiling down to the occupied areas. Alternately, setting the fan to pull the warm room air upwards, causes it to wash over the colder outer wall surfaces, reducing the uncomfortable feeling caused by convection cooling on a cold winter day.